Intel Corp., the world’s leading supplier of core-logic sets which controls over the half of the market, plans to release new chipsets that will bring advanced functionality to end-users, but may scrap the support for legacy PS/2 and LPT ports, which will catalyze end-users to acquire new peripherals when migrating to new personal computers (PCs).

Intel’s forthcoming chipsets code-named Bearlake X and Bearlake Q chipsets, according to a news-story published by IO Panel web-site citing sources close to Intel’s Israeli center, will boost performance of Intel Core 2 processors by 15% compared to its speed on mainboards using current-generation core-logic sets. This seems to be logical, as the new core-logic sets will support 1066MHz memory and higher-speed processor system bus, which, along with performance of forthcoming Conroe chips, should definitely improve performance of PCs.

The code-named Bearlake-X chipset that will replace the Intel 975X from the top in the Q3 2007 will support PCI Express 2.0 bus with higher – 5.0GHz – clock-speed compared to current 2.5GHz, two PCI Express x16 lanes, dual-channel PC2-6400 (DDR2 800MHz) and PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333MHz) memory. Other members of the Bearlake family will also support central processing units (CPUs) with 1333MHz PSB, but they may not necessarily support multi-GPU capabilities as well as PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333MHz) memory, limiting maximum memory speed to PC3-8500 (DDR3 1066MHz),

The Bearlake chipsets will feature ICH9 input/output controllers (I/O controllers), which are also referred to as south bridges, will provide improved network controller that will rely on microprocessor less than predecessors, support hardware-based firewall, but will lack PS2 and LPT ports used today to connect keyboards, mice, printers, scanners and some other peripherals. Meanwhile, the ICH10 will include Wi-Fi controller, which is currently recommended for advanced platforms by Intel.